BEIJING -- Nolito has said he turned down
Barcelona to sign for Pep Guardiola at Manchester
City.
Nolito, 29, said he had a straight decision
between the two clubs and opted to join the
Premier League side in a £13.8 million move from
Celta Vigo.
Nolito started his career at the Camp Nou, where
Guardiola promoted him to the first team, and said
the Catalan coach was one of the major factors
behind his decision to reject his former club.
"The truth is I enjoyed working with him in
Barcelona even though it wasn't much time," he
told reporters. "It's a reason for me to come here
but not the only one.
"It was also about City -- they have a great team,
it's a great project, they got to the semifinals of
the Champions League last season and the truth
is I will try to help this club achieve great things."
Asked if it was a straight choice between City and
Barca, he replied: "Yes. It's something I spoke
about with my family and my management.
"I thought it was the best decision for me and my
career. I have come to the Premier League to play
with City under Pep Guardiola, who will play me in
the first team and I am very happy with the
decision I took.
"I wish Barcelona all the best. I am very proud of
Barcelona's interest, but now I am here and I
think I made the best decision to come here."
Nolito, who impressed at Euro 2016 despite
Spain's disappointing exit in the round of 16 to
Italy, only joined up with his new teammates on
their preseason tour to China.
But he has been impressed by what he has seen
so far and believes City are capable of challenging
for silverware in every competition this season.
"I have been here a couple of days, but I can see
we have a good team and we can do anything,"
he added. "Why can't we win the league?
"It's a different league, the hardest in the world,
and I think we will try to win it. Let's see what
happens. [David] Silva, [Sergio] Aguero -- they
are players who play near me -- they are good
players. But they have good players from the
goalkeeper to the strikers, they have a great team,
we have it all.
"I think that it is one of the best teams in Europe.
They have some of the best players and facilities
in Europe. I am very happy with what I have seen
so far."
Nolito turns 30 in October but was a relatively late
bloomer after spells at Barca, Benfica and Celta.
He made 34 appearances for Celta last season,
scoring 13 goals, and he insists he still has
plenty to offer.
"I am 29, I am in the best form and shape of my
career and I had a good year last year," he
added. "I am relaxed about it.
"I have followed my path in life, but things have
started to come together now. I feel like I have
done a good job wherever I have gone."
Posted Africa News Sports
Chapisha Maoni